Home Ministry yet to receive formal order on Najib house arrest

The Malaysian Home Ministry and Prisons Department have yet to receive an official order regarding Datuk Seri Najib Razak's house arrest, following the Pardons Board's decision to allow him to serve the remainder of his 12-year sentence. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that the ministry would await the board's notification before implementing the decision.

Currently, Najib remains incarcerated, serving his prison term. The Home Minister explained that house arrest entails Najib remaining at an alternative location rather than prison, with the Prisons Department to determine the specific premises. The Pardons Board's decision to reduce Najib's sentence and fine was initially met with no formal directive from the Home Ministry.

Malaysia presently lacks specific legislation governing house arrest arrangements, prompting the Cabinet to consider drafting a House Arrest Bill. The proposed law aims to alleviate prison overcrowding, currently affecting 41 prisons housing approximately 93,000 inmates amidst a capacity for only 75,000.